Urging Internet Trolls And Mockers To Let Hustlers Be -By Isaac Asabor

If there is any word or slang that is usually mouthed whenever the issue of surviving in a harsh economy such as being witnessed by not a few Nigerians is been discussed, it is unarguably “Hustle”. The word has no doubt got to be one of the most popular buzzwords in business today. Even anyone that has a regular job or business, him or her still “hustles” harder to generate extra income. Everyone seems to be working on their “side hustle” while keeping their 9-to-5 job. But what does the Bible have to say about our hustle? On the one hand, the Scripture clearly celebrates hard work.

Colossians 3:23 commands “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.” But while Christians can join in the celebration of hard work, we must also wrestle with the Biblical truth that it is God, not us or our hustle, that produces results (Deuteronomy 8:17-18). As Christians, we must embrace the tension between hard work and trusting God in order to find true rest.

Given the wisdom and opportunity that are inherent in side hustling, it is not a surprise that famous Nollywood actor, Sylvester Madu, took to the business of selling second-hand clothes, popularly known as “Okrika” in Enugu market. However, since the renowned Nollywood actor was caught on camera selling second-hand clothes in the popular market, the media has been abuzz with news of him selling “Okrika”. What is more worrisome is the way it is been reported or commented on as if the actor has committed a crime by choosing to sell “Okirika”.

In a two-minute video making rounds on social media, the veteran actor could be seen bellowing, unarguably eliciting the patronage of his potential and existing customers to patronize him as he was sorting out the clothes to sell. According to the social media user who shared the video, the actor was seen selling at Enugu Ngwo.

As gathered, Madu is a renowned Nollywood actor, director, model, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who joined the Nollywood industry in 1998. Famous for playing the role of a hitman, the University of Maiduguri graduate has been featured in several movies since joining the movie industry over two decades ago.

At this juncture, permit me to say that this writer is proud of him, particularly as he replied to internet trolls and others that were mocking him. He said because he is an actor does not mean he should not look for other legitimate and modest means of earning income, and went on to advise young Nigerians to go out and find legitimate work or start a business without bothering about what people say.

In a similar vein, some comments posted on social media platforms unarguably supported his side hustle. Some of the posts read thus: @brownskin gift: “Bro is trying to make money, and you’re making this video, for what to happen na? Abeg leave him to make his money. Man has to eat. Whether he was an actor or a BBNaija housemate. Let them be. They are human beings.”

@organicoilplus: “It could be a movie, even if it is real, please, what is wrong with selling, why try to bring him for public ridicule?”

@deewhowrites: “Please allow him to do his business in peace. God bless his hustle.”

@iam_cataliya: “A man who makes other means of income is king”, and @hairbalist.ng: “I stand for a man who is never ashamed to do what he has to do to make legit money to take care of his responsibilities.”

At this juncture, permit me to ask, “Who has done this to us as Nigerians?” The reason for the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as it is not in our culture to mock someone who is working hard to eke out a living. Have we not been counseled by our elders that unless our experiences are unique, hard work and perseverance most often lead to success? Not only that, it is common knowledge that if we are scared of hard work that we may likely experience hard times in life.

In fact, it should not be forgotten that there is Dignity in Labour. For the sake of clarity, dignity is the honour and respect attached to a particular thing. Thus, the dignity of labor is, therefore, the respect and honour attached to all types of honest work people do for a living.

In today’s society, a lot of emphasis is being laid on getting white-collar jobs because people believe these are jobs that attract respect in society. For this reason, many people want to be Journalists, bankers, accountants, doctors, engineers, etc. For God’s sake, this mentality is wrong! All types of honest work are very important in the society. They all complement one another and the absence of any of them makes living difficult. For example, mechanics, carpenters, and bricklayers all require the services of doctors for their health and in turn, doctors require their services to be able to live comfortably. Doctors need carpenters to build furniture for their houses, mechanics to repair their motors, bricklayers to build houses for them, etc. They cannot do without these services, likewise engineers, accountants, lecturers, etc. So also is the one that sells “Okrika” as he is at the service of those who cannot afford to clothe themselves with expensive clothes.

It is important that we do not look down on any work and those that chose to perform such jobs as long as they are not involved in “Yahoo-Yahoo”, stealing, kidnapping, human trafficking, bootlegging, drug dealership, and other kinds of criminalities. We must learn to give doctors, accountants, engineers, labourers mechanics, carpenters, etc., equal respect because everyone is a professional in his own field and one cannot do without the other.

The dignity of labour had to do with one being proud of the work one is doing for a living and being prepared to work to the best of one’s ability and knowledge to ensure the progress of the society in which one lives. Christians must work harder in whatever they do for a living and they should avoid laziness, indolence, and begging.

In St. Paul’s epistle to the Thessalonians, he warned them against laziness and indolence. He advised that Christians should work hard for their living and avoid begging. Paul called their attention when he was with them. He did not depend on the church for his sustenance, he worked for his living. Though it was his right to feed from the church as an evangelist, he chose to work so that they might emulate his good example.

Paul further reminded the Thessalonians of the command he gave them when he was with them: “If anyone will not work, let him not eat”. He condemned the idea of some of them living in idleness, parading themselves as busy body.

He advised such people to find something to do to earn their living. St. Paul said anyone who would not work should be avoided so that he might be ashamed of himself, although such a fellow should not be treated as an enemy. The aim was to encourage the person as a Christian to be hard-working. Against the foregoing backdrop, permit me to urge Internet trolls and mockers to let hustlers be.